February 20, 2008–Honda is celebratiing the 2 millionth car from its Swindon car production facility. The silver CR-V is scheduled for production on February 21, 2008, nearly 16 years after car manufacturing began in October 1992. The company announced substantial new investment, showing further commitment to its UK manufacturing operations.

Honda of the U.K. Manufacturing Ltd.

Building on its 22 year history, Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd. (HUM) is investing a further £80 million to upgrade and improve manufacturing processes. This includes:

·

£20 million into Plastic Operations which started mass production in January 2008 – capable of moulding and painting 1300 sets of bumpers for Civic and CR-V each day

·

£16 million into a new casting facility employing the Honda patented process of ASCT (advanced semi-solid casting technology). This unique new process will enable HUM to independently cast diesel blocks, a process which, until now, has only been carried out at Honda in Japan

·

A further £50 million being invested in welding and paint production technology, increasing efficiency and production flexibility.

Honda’s Swindon plant has shown a 25% increase in production volume over the last 18 months, with the company’s UK sales operation breaking through the 100,000 sales barrier for the first time in 2007. Currently just under 30% of Swindon production goes to the UK market. In 2007, HUM produced 237,783 cars.

David Hodgetts, Director at HUM, stated that “We are extremely proud of our workforce here in Swindon. This major milestone demonstrates the scale of our achievement since our operations began nearly 22 years ago. This fresh investment will enable Honda to improve overall competitiveness and increase the level of localised manufacture in Swindon. ”

Ken Keir, Senior Vice President of Honda Motor Europe, said “The fact that there are over two million happy customers driving Swindon built Honda cars is testament to our Associates’ commitment and is a great accomplishment.”

Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd. (HUM) : Key Facts

1) HUM Vehicle Production History

·

Accord 4 Door

(1992~2002)

280,432

·

Accord 5 Door

(1999~200

46,418

·

Civic Aerodeck

(1998~2000)

48,064

·

Civic 3 Door

(2001~Present)

213,810

·

Civic 5 Door

(1994~Present)

777,850

·

CR-V

(2000~Present)

633,426

Total

2,000,000

2) HUM Profile

·

Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd (HUM) is a fully integrated car manufacturing facility, producing the total car (Casting, Engine, Pressing, Painting and Assembly) on one site in Swindon, Wiltshire.

·

370 acre site (1.5million m2)

·

Honda has invested £1.38 billion in its manufacturing operation in Swindon